Enchanted -N. Lantsov

In This World Without a Voice or Say

Olysia rushed forward, not caring about breaking ranks from behind Alina or the group she walked in with. She walked to the table with a newfound bounce in her step. "David."

He snapped his head up and a small smile lit up his face. "Olysia?"

Olysia took the empty spot next to him and smiled.

"Alina Starkov," Sergei was the first to step forward. "I'm pleased to welcome you back to the Little Palace."

"Thank you, Sergei," Alina addressed informally. "I'm glad to be here."

"There have been rumors of your return." He looked at her up and down. "But just as many of your death."

"As you can see, I'm alive and as well as can be expected after weeks of travel on the Vy." Alina motioned to herself

"It's said you arrived in the company of the King's second son." Sergei challenged.

"That's right," Alina confirmed pleasantly. "He aided in my battle with the Darkling."

A stir went through the room.

"On the Fold?" Sergei questioned.

"On the True Sea." Alina corrected.

David looked at Olysia, silently asking her if she knew anything about it.

"A lot has transpired over the past few weeks." Olysia whispered.

Murmurs rose from the crowds but were silenced when Alina lifted her hand.

"I have plenty of stories to tell and information to impart," Alina reassured. "But that can wait. I've returned to Os Alta with a purpose."

"People are talking of a wedding." Sergei accused.

"I didn't come back here to be a bride. I've returned for a single reason." Alina took a breath. "I've returned to lead the Second Army."

Shouts and cheers alike arose from all across the room.

"We expected as much."

"The King has agreed that I will hold command." Alina announced.

Sergei cleared his throat. "Alina, you are the Sun Summoner, and we're grateful for your safe return, but you aren't qualified to run a military campaign."

"Qualified or not, I have the King's blessing."

"Then we will petition the King. The Corporalki are the highest-ranking Grisha and should lead the Second Army." Sergei answered as if the answer was obvious.

"Says you, bloodletter." A silky voice that could only ever belong to Zoya Nazalensky emerged out of the crowd.

"And highest ranking according to who exactly? The Darkling? Because as far as I'm aware, I don't see him around here." Olysia squared her shoulder to defiantly stare at Sergei. She kept her steely gaze on him but nodded her head to the empty spot where the Darkling's chair used to stand. "Do you?"

Sergei opened his mouth to give a retort but unable to give one, he eventually shut up.

"She's not wrong." Zoya backed Olysia up. "I speak for the Etherealki, and we will follow the Sun Summoner."

"Not all of us." Marie piped up weakly.

"Yes, we know you support Sergei in all his endeavors, Marie." Zoya rolled her eyes. "But this isn't a late-night tryst by the banya. We're talking about the future of the Grisha and all of Ravka."

Marie's face true we bright red at the all of the snickering

"That's enough, Zoya," Sergei snapped.

"Did she touch a nerve, Sergei?" Olysia taunted Sergei. He glared at Olysia who could only hold back a malicious smirk.